(Running windows xp sp2, 2 gig processor, 352 RAM)
i just want to know, shouldn't the port that my modem says
it's using be listed under ports in the device manager? my modem says it's using com3, but the only ports listed in the
device mgr are LPT1 and COM1. it won't detect a dial tone. i've uninstalled, reinstalled, tried different modems, updated
drivers, everything i can think of, still only have LPT1 and COM1 and no dial tone detected in every instance. i've queried the modem, comes out fine every time. tried changing the modem to COM1, made no difference so i changed it back to it's default (COM3 for one of the modems, COM4 for the other one). COM ports 3 & 4  are both  listed under ports in the printers and faxes\print server properties window under ports. If ANYBODY out there can help i'd sure appreciate it.  
THANX: XPEERHow MANY phones have you got connect the lan cable ....straight into the bt main jack plug....check your password.....user name for your isp......XPeer:

Com 3 may be damaged, or it may just be disabled in the BIOS setup, or the modem expansion card may be damaged or need different software drivers.

Let us know if you need help making changes to the BIOS setup configuration, or if you need assistance with any other troubleshooting.

Regards,
DocXPEER.....Correct me if I'm wrong ( and I am from time to time ) but .......Your modem should show up under Modems in the device manager ......click on modems and your modem will show up ....then click on your modem and you will see all the dope on your modem .....click on the diagnostic tab and query modem ....

I also think it belongs on COM Port 3


cheers

dl65  you are correct don......as usual not enough info on how the user has setup the cables  or extension lan lead etc....XPEER here again
I think i mentioned that I had queried the modem in my FIRST post so obviously I know about it showing up in the device manager cause I don't know any other way to query it (but I'm sure there probably are ways. As far as the other things go you guys mentioned, I just have 1 phone line, 1 phone, and 2 computers hooked up here, nothing fancy. I made the first post from my old win98 computer which is on the same line ( on past the XP), so obviously the problem's not with the phone line. Looking at how my 98's set-up I found the same thing as far as which port the modem was using and that same port not showing up under the ports in device manager. Difference is, it works. I did find another modem, put it in, windows installed it, it worked, and now I'm posting this reply from my XP. I know the other modems are good modems too, but for some reason they didn't work and this one did. Who knows. Sorry to bother you guys but I've been fighting this for awhile now and was getting PRETTY frustrated. Thanx muchly for trying to help though. I'm sure I'll need help again someday.
THANX AGAIN!
XPEER try plugging the the modem cable.....straight into the main phone line........and disconnect the fax machince......do you hear tthe modem......dialing up?